The organisation representing Scotland's leading referees has criticised the decision to hand out a two-game ban to Nadir Ciftci as sending the "wrong message" to other footballers.

Dundee United forward Ciftci was handed the suspension following an incident involving Gavin Harris during a League Cup tie against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in October.

However, the Scottish Senior Football Referees Association said on Wednesday the punishment was excessively lenient and has now demanded talks with the governing Scottish Football Association.

Ciftci was initially charged with "seizing hold" of Harris "by the throat" after being sent off following a brawl involving several players from both sides.

But the 21-year-old was subsequently charged with "placing an open hand into the lower area of the assistant referee's throat".

He is now banned for Saturday's meeting with Hearts, with the second suspended until the end of the season.

An SSFRA spokesman, in a statement to the Press Association, said: "We wish to express our deep dissatisfaction at the leniency of the sanction imposed by Tuesday's Disciplinary Tribunal on a player who was found guilty of physically abusing one of our members.

"As an association, we feel this sends out completely the wrong message on issues surrounding the protection of match officials at all levels of the game in Scotland.

"Following a weekend of action taken by some of our number in 2010, assurances were given by the Scottish FA that it would take very seriously the protection of referees," he added.

"Our association strongly believes that a thorough review of the governing body's duty of care responsibilities to match officials should now be undertaken to ensure that referees are operating within a safe working environment.

"We will be seeking talks with the Scottish FA within the next few days to discuss matters before reporting to our members."

The Dutch-born Turkish striker Cifti was sent off during United's League Cup defeat to Caley Thistle on October 29, but the red card was later downgraded to yellow.